AEE Technical Summits 2026

A champion of affordable housing, public safety, and climate resilience, Mayor Malakoutian brings a unique blend of engineering expertise and policy leadership. With over 20 years in construction, academia, and tech, he can explore how cities can balance growth, equity, and sustainability: lessons directly applicable to businesses and policymakers alike.

A national leader in utility innovation, Aaron August has shaped energy efficiency, demand response, and clean transportation strategies at major utilities. His knowledge reveals how customer-centric energy solutions can drive both sustainability and business success which are critical insights for anyone navigating the evolving energy landscape.

As the youngest and first person of color to lead the Port of Seattle, Commissioner Cho is a trailblazer in economic opportunity, environmental sustainability, and equity. His experience (from international trade to government leadership) offers a roadmap for integrating climate action with inclusive growth.

A global thought leader in energy procurement and decarbonization, Shay Reed has spearheaded Costco’s ambitious Clean Energy & Emissions strategy. Discover how one of the world’s largest retailers is educating teams, cutting costs, and scaling sustainable solutions, and how you can apply these strategies in your organization.

Pioneering decarbonization and climate-resilient buildings, Ash Awad has transformed McKinstry into a national leader in sustainable infrastructure. His knowledge stems around real-world strategies for turning buildings from liabilities into high-performance assets while addressing affordability and equity.

A champion of healthy, equitable buildings, Summer Fowler has proven that sustainability and social impact go hand-in-hand. From Living Buildings to Net Zero projects, her work demonstrates how businesses and cities can design for people and the planet without sacrificing profitability.

Co-Founder of CWEEL, Current Director and Former President of PREPA USA, Mrs. Laurie Wiegand-Jackson represented the member of AEE and CWEEL , as one of the important international speakers in the APEC energy week.

Dennis P. Deters was appointed to the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio (PUCO) by Governor Mike DeWine in 2019. Prior to joining the PUCO, Commissioner Deters has served in local government for the last decade, most recently as a judge on Ohio’s First District Court of Appeals. Prior to that, Deters served as a Colerain Township Trustee, a Hamilton County Commissioner, and a private attorney representing local government interests. In these positions, Deters has overseen local regulation of basic public service, has been tasked with adopting and enforcing administrative regulation of local services, worked to solve public service disputes, and represented individuals and businesses navigating government regulation. Commissioner Deters has earned his Bachelor of Arts, English and Government from the University of Notre Dame, and his law degree from the University of Cincinnati.